U.S. patent number 8,704,089 [Application Number 13/045,851] was granted by the patent office on 2014-04-22 for foundation member with cable theft deterrent device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hubbell Incorporated. The grantee listed for this patent is Jacob C. Atchley. Invention is credited to Jacob C. Atchley.
United States Patent |
8,704,089 |
Atchley |
April 22, 2014 |
Foundation member with cable theft deterrent device
Abstract
A foundation base member is provided for supporting an above
ground electrical device such as a light pole and for supplying
electrical wiring to the electrical device. The foundation base
includes a body for inserting into the ground and has an axial
passage for carrying the underground electrical wires to the
electrical device. A base member is coupled to the top end of the
foundation body and has a passageway aligned with the axial passage
of the foundation body for receiving the electrical wires. The base
member is adapted for coupling to and supporting the electrical
device. A clamping device is received within a recess of the base
member for fixing the position of the clamping device with respect
to the foundation base. In one embodiment, the clamping device is
captured between the foundation base and the electrical device. The
wires are clamped in position by the clamping device to prevent
unauthorized removal of the wiring.
Inventors: |
Atchley; Jacob C. (Rocheport,
MO) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Atchley; Jacob C. |
Rocheport |
MO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hubbell Incorporated (Shelton,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
46003081 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/045,851 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2011 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120230004 A1 |
Sep 13, 2012 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
174/45R; 248/511;
174/38; 439/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
9/06 (20130101); F21V 21/06 (20130101); F21V
21/10 (20130101); F21W 2131/103 (20130101); F21S
2/00 (20130101); H02G 3/0493 (20130101); H02G
2200/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H02G
7/20 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;174/45R,38,2,40CC,51
;439/98 ;248/511,73 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
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|
|
202005000757 |
|
Mar 2005 |
|
DE |
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02/073762 |
|
Sep 2002 |
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WO |
|
Other References
Pelco Products, Inc., Anti-Theft Cable Retainer Plate, 2009,
http://www.pelcoinc.com/UtilityProducts/AntiTheftCableRetainerPlate/tabid-
/121/Default.a. . . . cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Patel; Dhirubhai R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Davis; Garrett V. Bicks; Mark S.
Goodman; Alfred N.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A foundation member for supporting an above ground electrical
device, said foundation member comprising: a body portion adapted
for positioning in the ground, said body portion having a top end,
a bottom end, and an axial passage for carrying an underground
electrical cable to the electrical device; a base coupled to said
top end of said body portion, said base having a recess and a
central opening defining a passageway aligned with the axial
passage of the body portion for receiving the electrical cable and
being adapted for coupling to and supporting the electrical device,
said recess being a slot extending outwardly from said central
opening; and a clamp assembly having a main body and an outwardly
extending leg received in said slot of said base for clamping the
electrical cable passing through said passageway of said base and
deterring theft of the underground cable through said body.
2. The foundation member of claim 1, wherein said base being
adapted for coupling to and supporting the electrical device, and
being fixed to the top end of the body portion, said clamp assembly
being received in said slot in said base and being captured between
the electrical device and said body portion.
3. The foundation member of claim 2, wherein said clamp assembly
comprises a movable clamp plate coupled to said main body for
clamping the electrical cable to said foundation member.
4. The foundation member of claim 3, wherein said movable clamp
plate has an integrally formed shield at a top end thereof.
5. The foundation member of claim 3, wherein said main body is
oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of said base and
extends from said top surface of said base.
6. The foundation member of claim 3, wherein said main body and
movable clamp plate have an aperture receiving a threaded bolt
therein for clamping the electrical cable between the movable clamp
plate and the main body.
7. The foundation member of claim 1, wherein said body portion
includes a ground-engaging helical screw thread on an outer surface
thereof for installation of the foundation member in the
ground.
8. A foundation member for supporting an above ground electrical
device and deterring theft of underground electrical cable, said
foundation member comprising: a body portion adapted for embedding
in the ground and having an axial passage for receiving the
underground electrical cable, said body portion has a top end with
a base, said base having a central opening forming a passageway
adapted to receive the electrical cable, and a recess formed in a
top surface of said base and extending radially from said central
opening; and a clamp assembly having a main body and a movable
clamp plate for clamping to an end portion of the underground
electrical cable and resisting removal of the underground
electrical cable from the foundation member and the ground, said
clamp assembly being received in said recess in said base.
9. The foundation member of claim 8, wherein said electrical device
is a lamp pole attached to said body portion.
10. The foundation member of claim 8, wherein said clamp assembly
comprises a leg extending from said main body and received in said
recess to be captured between the body portion and the electrical
device.
11. The foundation member of claim 10, wherein said recess in said
base is a slot extending radially outward from said central
opening; and said leg has a height substantially equal to a
dimension of said slot.
12. The foundation member of claim 10, wherein said main body
extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said
base.
13. The foundation member of claim 12, wherein said main body is
oriented in said central opening in said base.
14. The foundation member of claim 10, wherein said movable
clamping plate has at least one aperture and a bolt extending
through said aperture for coupling said movable clamping plate to
said main body.
15. The foundation member of claim 10, wherein said clamp assembly
has a bolt for coupling a movable clamp plate to said main body;
and said clamp assembly has a shield at a top end thereof with a
dimension to obstruct access to said bolt.
16. The foundation member of claim 10, wherein said recess in said
base is a slot extending radially from said central opening, and
where said leg is received in said slot.
17. The foundation member of claim 16, wherein said clamp assembly
has a pair of said legs extending from said main body and where
each of said legs are received in said slot.
18. The foundation member of claim 8, wherein said recess in said
base is a slot, and said clamp assembly has a leg received in said
slot.
19. The foundation member of claim 8, wherein said recess in said
base is a slot extending between a top surface and a bottom surface
of said base, and said main body of said clamp assembly has a pair
of outwardly extending legs, said legs being received in said slot
and having a height corresponding substantially to a dimension of
said slot.
20. The foundation member of claim 8, wherein said recess in said
base is a pair of slots extending outward from said central
opening; and said clamp assembly has outwardly extending legs
received in said slots.
21. The foundation member of claim 20, wherein said clamp assembly
has a main body and a movable clamping plate, said legs extending
outwardly from said main body.
22. A method of deterring theft of underground electric cable, said
method comprising the steps of providing a foundation member having
a body portion embedded in the ground, said body portion having an
axial passage for carrying the electrical cable to the surface of
the ground, a base with a central opening forming a passageway, and
a recess extending radially from said central opening in said base,
positioning a clamp assembly in said recess, capturing the clamp
assembly between a top surface of the body portion and an
electrical device mounted on the base of the foundation member; and
feeding the electrical cable through the body portion and cable
clamp assembly and clamping the electrical cable to deter removal
of the underground cable.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said clamp assembly includes a
main body and a movable clamping plate, said main body being
oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base, said
main body having a leg positioned in the recess, said method
further comprising clamping the electrical cable between the main
body and the movable clamping plate.
24. A foundation member for supporting an electrical device, said
foundation member comprising a body portion adapted for inserting
into the ground, said body portion having a top end, a bottom end,
and an axial passage for carrying underground electrical cable to
the electrical device; a base coupled to said top end of said body
portion, said base having an opening defining a passageway aligned
with the axial passage of said body portion for receiving
electrical cable; and a clamp assembly for clamping the electrical
cable passing through the opening in the base to resist removal of
the electrical cable, said clamp assembly having a fixed main body
and at least one movable clamping plate and a bolt coupling said
fixed main body and movable clamping plate for clamping the
electrical cable, said movable clamping plate having a shield with
a dimension to obstruct access to said bolt, said shield extending
outwardly from said movable clamping plate and overlying said
bolt.
25. The foundation member of claim 24, wherein said main body and
said movable clamping plate include a hole receiving said bolt for
coupling said main body and clamping plate together, and where said
bolt is shielded by said shield.
26. The foundation member of claim 24, wherein said shield is
integrally formed with said movable clamping plate as a one piece
unit.
27. The foundation member of claim 24, wherein said base has a
recess extending radially from said central opening in said base
and said clamp assembly is received in said recess and captured
between said body portion and the electrical device.
28. The foundation member of claim 27, wherein said clamp assembly
has a leg received in said recess and said opening.
29. The foundation member of claim 28, wherein said clamp assembly
has a pair of outwardly extending legs, said legs being received in
said slot.
30. The foundation member of claim 29 wherein said slot extends
through said base between a top surface and a bottom surface, and
where said legs contact a top end of said body portion.
31. The foundation member of claim 27, wherein said recess is a
slot and where said main body has a pair of legs extending
outwardly therefrom and where said legs are received in said slot.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a foundation member having a
cable theft deterrent device to prevent unauthorized removal of
electrical cables or wires from a conduit and particularly an
underground conduit. The present invention is particularly directed
to a foundation member for an electrical device such as a utility
or light pole where the foundation member has a clamp assembly to
deter theft of underground cable or electrical wires.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, the theft of copper components including copper
wires and cables has increased resulting in financial losses to the
utility company. Utility companies often run electrical wires and
cables through underground conduits extending great lengths. The
conduits are generally connected to a box having a chamber that
receives the ends of the electrical wires and cables. Suitable
connections between the wires can branch to various conduits from
the single box. The box typically has an access door or cover to
close the box to allow repairs and connections between the lines.
There have been many instances where the thief has removed the
access door to gain access to the box. The connectors can be cut
and wires pulled from the conduits connected to the box. Depending
on the location of the box, hundreds of feet of electrical cable or
wires can be pulled from the conduits and sold for its scrap
value.
Screw foundations are commonly used for supporting an electrical
device such as a light pole. The foundations generally have a
cavity for receiving underground wiring and making the required
connections to the electrical device. The base of the light pole is
attached to the foundation to support the light pole. The base
typically has a removable door to allow the installer to access the
cavity to make the necessary electrical connections. There has been
an increase in theft of the electrical wires by removing the door,
cutting the wires from the connectors and pulling the wires from
the underground conduit.
Various devices have been proposed to prevent or deter the theft of
underground wires and cables. These devices include more secure
access doors to prevent unauthorized access. These devices have met
with limited success since the doors can be broken resulting in
damage to the box or foundation.
One example of a theft deterrent device is WO 02/073762 to Theron
disclosing a method of preventing theft of an underground cable by
securing the cable at spaced intervals along a length thereof with
a series of obstructive elements to engage the outer surface of the
cable so that axial movement of the cable relative to the
obstructive element is substantially inhibited. The obstructive
element may include two opposing plates, each with a semicircular
recess and secured with brackets to surround the cable.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0301777 to Yribarren discloses an
apparatus for inhibiting the removal of a cable from a conduit. A
clamp moves towards an interior portion of a clamp guide and
secures the cable between the clamp and a portion of a clamp guide.
The clamp is U-shaped and includes at least one threaded end for
engaging a securing mechanism.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0020974 to Carlson discloses a
tamper resistant plug for preventing the removal of wires from a
conduit. The plug includes an outer sleeve with a plurality of
grooves along the outer circumference for receiving the wire of the
conduit. The plug secures the wire in grooves by inserting a
connector into a cap and forming a tight fit between the connector,
cap, and sleeve.
Other examples of securing devices for cables are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,267,401 to Wilkinson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,316 to Hoffman
et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,753 to Rushing; U.S. Pat. No. 7,475,575
to Greenfield et al.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0049661 to
Harmon et al.; and DE 202005000757 to Rehau AG & Co.
Although these devices have had some limited success for the
intended purpose, there is a continuing need in the industry for an
improved theft deterrent system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a foundation member having a
cable theft deterrent device to prevent removal of electrical
cables and wires from a conduit connected to the foundation member.
The present invention is particularly directed to a foundation
member for supporting an electrical device such as a utility or
light pole where the foundation member has a clamp assembly to
clamp the cable to deter theft of the cable passing through
underground conduits. The foundation member can be a screw
foundation or foundation base that is positioned in or on the
ground to support an electrical device.
One feature of the invention is to provide a theft deterrent
assembly that can be used in a foundation member and the assembly
of the electrical device to prevent the theft of underground wiring
and cables.
Another feature of the invention is to provide a foundation member
that is able to accommodate a theft deterrent assembly which can be
inserted or removed from the foundation member as needed.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a foundation member
having a removable theft deterrent assembly that can be coupled to
the foundation member during use to prevent removal of underground
cables and wires.
The foundation member of the invention has a body portion adapted
for inserting into the ground a sufficient depth to support an
electrical device such as a utility pole or light pole. The
foundation member is connected to a supply cable or conduit for
receiving electrical wires or cables from a supply and carrying the
wires to the electrical member. The electrical device is mounted
directly to the foundation member. The foundation member is
provided with a theft deterrent clamping assembly to clamp the end
of the electrical cable or wires in a location that is generally
inaccessible once the electrical device is mounted to the
foundation member. The theft deterrent assembly prevents the wires
and cable from being removed from the foundation member and the
conduits connected to the foundation member.
In one embodiment of the invention, the theft deterrent clamp
assembly is received within a recess in the top end of the
foundation member and is removably coupled to the foundation
member. The electrical device is attached to the foundation member
so that the clamp assembly is captured between the electrical
device and the foundation member, thereby preventing separation of
the clamp assembly from the foundation member. The clamp assembly
is positioned so that once the electrical device is mounted to the
foundation member, the clamp assembly is not readily accessible
thereby preventing separation of the clamp assembly from the
cables.
These and other aspects of the invention are basically attained by
providing a foundation member for supporting an above ground
electrical device. The foundation member comprises a foundation
body formed in the ground or adapted for inserting into the ground.
The foundation body has a top end, a bottom end, and an axial
passage for carrying an underground electrical cable to the
electrical device. A base is coupled to the top end of the
foundation body. The base has an opening and a passageway aligned
with the axial passage of the foundation body for receiving the
electrical cable and is adapted for coupling to and supporting the
electrical device. A clamping device is received in the opening of
the base for clamping the electrical cable passing through the
opening of the base and deterring theft of the underground cable
through the foundation body.
The various aspects and advantages of the invention are also
attained by providing a foundation member for supporting an above
ground electrical device and deterring theft of underground
electrical cable. The foundation member comprises a foundation body
portion adapted for embedding in the ground and having a central
passage for receiving the underground electrical cable. A clamp
assembly is removably received in the passage of the foundation
body portion for clamping to an end portion of the underground
electrical cable and resisting removal of the underground
electrical cable from the body portion and the ground.
The various aspects of the invention are further attained by
providing a method of deterring theft of underground electric cable
by providing a foundation member having a foundation body embedded
in the ground. The foundation body has an axial passage for
carrying the electrical cable to the surface of the ground, and a
cable clamp assembly captured between a top end of the foundation
body and an electrical device mounted on the foundation member. The
electrical cable is fed through the foundation body and cable clamp
and the electrical cable is clamped to the foundation body to deter
removal of the underground cable.
The various aspects of the invention are also attained by providing
a foundation member for supporting an electrical device. The
foundation member comprises a foundation body adapted for inserting
into the ground. The foundation body has a top end, a bottom end,
and an axial passage for carrying underground electrical cable to
the electrical device. A base is coupled to the top end of the
foundation body. The base has a passageway aligned with the axial
passage of the foundation body for receiving electrical cable. A
clamping assembly for clamping the electrical cable passes through
the axial passageway of the base to resist removal of the
electrical cable. The clamping assembly has a top end, a bottom end
and at least one movable clamping member positioned between the top
end and the bottom end for clamping the electrical cable. A shield
is coupled to the clamping assembly and has a dimension to obstruct
access to the movable clamping member.
These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from
the following detailed description of the invention in connection
with the annexed drawings which disclose various embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following is a brief description of the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a series of foundations members of
the invention embedded in the ground and having a utility pole
attached to each of the foundation members;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the foundation member and
clamp assembly in one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the foundation member, clamping
assembly and utility pole according to one embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the foundation member and clamp
assembly in the embodiment of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the foundation member in the embodiment of
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the foundation member and clamp assembly in
the embodiment of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the foundation member and
the clamp assembly clamping an electrical cable;
FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the electrical
device, foundation member and clamp assembly;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled electrical
device, foundation member and clamp assembly of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the foundation
member and clamp assembly;
FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the clamp assembly in a
second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a top view of the foundation member of the embodiment of
FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the foundation member and clamp
assembly in another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 14 is an end view of the clamp assembly in the embodiment of
FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a top view of the clamp assembly of the embodiment of
FIG. 13; and
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled foundation
member and clamp assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a foundation member for use in
connection with electrical wiring and electrical cables. The
foundation member in one embodiment of the invention is adapted for
supporting an electrical device above ground and for supplying
below ground electrical wiring to the electrical device. The
foundation member has a structure and dimension capable of
supporting an electrical device and can be embedded in the ground
or positioned on the ground. The foundation member can be a screw
foundation or base. It will be understood that the ground engaging
portion of the foundation member can have any suitable shape that
is capable of supporting the electrical device.
Referring to FIG. 1, the invention is directed to a foundation
member assembly 10 having a foundation member 12 and a clamp
assembly 14. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the foundation
member assembly 10 is inserted into the ground a sufficient depth
to provide a foundation support for an electrical device 16. In the
embodiment illustrated, the electrical device 16 is a light pole
supporting a lamp 18. The lamp pole 16 includes a base 20 having a
hollow cavity and an access door 22 for allowing access to the
interior of the base and lamp pole 16. Electrical wiring 24 buried
in the ground is fed from a power source to a series of the lamp
poles 16 as shown in FIG. 1. Typically, the wiring 24 passes
through a conduit 26 which joins with the foundation member 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp pole base 20 and the lamp pole 16
generally have an access door 22 to allow access to the axial
passage of the base and the lamp pole for making the necessary
electrical connections between the power supply and the electrical
device. The electrical wires 24 are fed through the foundation
member 12 and are coupled to the clamp assembly 14 which is
preferably positioned below the location of the access door 22.
Referring to FIG. 2, the foundation member 12 has a main body
portion 28 having a substantially cylindrical shape with a top end
30 and a bottom end 32. In the embodiment shown, the foundation
member is a screw foundation that is screwed into the ground. The
bottom end 32 is provided with a helical screw 34 and a projection
36 extending axially from the body 28. The helical screw 34 has a
shape and dimension for penetrating the ground for driving the
foundation member into the ground by a suitable drilling machine as
known in the art.
The body portion 28 of the foundation member 12 typically has a
closed bottom end and a hollow axial passage as shown in FIG. 8.
The cylindrical side wall of the body portion 28 has an opening 40
for receiving the electrical wiring 24.
The top end 30 of the cylindrical body portion 28 includes a base
42. Base 42 has a generally planar configuration forming a plate
with a dimension for attaching to the lamp pole 16 or other
electrical device and supporting the lamp pole in an upright
position. Base 42 in the embodiment shown has a substantially
square configuration and is fixed to the top end of the body
portion 28. The base 42 can be welded to the top end of the
foundation body portion 28 or attached by suitable fasteners.
Preferably, base 42 is fixed to the body portion and has a
thickness and dimension sufficient for supporting the lamp pole
16.
Base 42 includes a plurality of mounting holes for receiving
mounting bolts 48 for coupling the lamp pole 16 to the base. In the
embodiment shown, the mounting holes in the base 42 are defined by
four slots 44 extending radially outward from a central opening 46.
The slots 44 have a dimension to receive the bolt 48 and can slide
along the respective slot to align the bolts with the bolt holes in
the base. The bolt 48 passes through corresponding bolt holes 50 in
the base 20 of the lamp pole 16. The bolts 48 pass through the base
20 of the lamp pole 16 and through the slots 44 of the base 42.
Nuts 50 and suitable washers and plates are then attached to the
bolts to secure the lamp pole base 20 to the base 42.
Base 42 has a central opening 46 with a dimension to allow the
electrical wires to pass through the axial passage of the body
portion 28 of the foundation member 12 and to supply the wires
through the lamp base to the lamp pole 16. As shown in FIGS. 5 and
6, the central opening 46 has a substantially circular shape with a
diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the side wall of
the body portion 28. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner edge 54
of base 42 extends inwardly into the axial passage 38.
The clamp assembly 14 cooperates with the base 42 for clamping the
wires 24 passing through the axial passage 46. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 4 and 7-9, the clamping assembly 14 has a
substantially flat planar configuration with a main body 56 and
outwardly extending legs 58. A movable clamping plate 60 is coupled
to the main body 56 by bolts 62 and corresponding nuts 64. A
compressible pad 66 is attached to the opposite sides of the main
body 56 and a flexible pad 68 is attached to the inner side of the
movable plate 60. The pads 66 and 68 are able to clamp the
electrical wire 24 passing through the clamp assembly 14 by
tightening the nuts 64 on the bolts 62 as shown in FIG. 7.
In the embodiment illustrated, the clamp assembly 14 includes two
movable clamping plates 60 on opposite sides of the main body 56
for clamping one or more wires passing through the axial passage of
the foundation member and the base 42. In other embodiments, the
clamping plates can be attached to the same side of the main body
56. As shown, the movable clamping plates 60 are aligned with each
other and positioned at opposite ends of the main body 56 so that
the bolts 62 do not interfere with one another.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base 42 includes a recess for
receiving the respective legs 58 of the clamp assembly 14. In one
preferred embodiment, the recess is a pair of slots 70 extending
radially outward from the central opening 46 and preferably
bisecting the central opening 46 so that the clamp assembly 14 is
positioned in the center of the central opening as shown in FIG. 6.
Each slot 70 passes through the base from the top surface to the
bottom surface. The legs 58 have a height and length corresponding
substantially to the dimensions of the slot 70 so that the legs 58
fit within the slots as shown in FIG. 7. In one embodiment, the
legs 58 are received within the respective slot 70 and contact the
top end of the body portion 28 of the foundation member as shown in
the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9. In this manner, the top end 30
of the body portion 28 supports the clamp assembly 14. The lamp
base 20 of the lamp pole 16 is attached to the base 42 of the
foundation member 12 to overlie the top edge of the legs 58 of the
clamp assembly 14 as shown in FIG. 9 thereby capturing the clamp
assembly 14 between the top end of the body portion 28 and the
bottom surface of the lamp base 20. A plurality of slots 70 can be
provided in different locations to allow placement of the clamp
assembly in different positions as needed.
During use, the foundation member 12 is positioned in the ground as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to the desired depth. The electrical wires
24 are fed through the opening 40 in the side wall of the body
portion 28 and fed upwardly through the axial passage 38. The wires
are fed through the clamp assembly 14 and the bolts 62 are
tightened to clamp the wires to the clamp assembly as shown. The
clamp assembly is then positioned in the slot 70 as shown in FIG. 7
and the lamp pole 16 is attached to the base 42 as shown in FIGS. 8
and 9 thereby capturing the clamp assembly between the foundation
member and the lamp pole. The lamp base 20 typically has the access
door 22 to allow the wires 24 to be coupled to the wiring of the
lamp pole by suitable connectors 72 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In
one preferred embodiment, the clamp assembly 14 is positioned below
the access doors 22 in the lamp base 20 so that once the lamp pole
is mounted on base 42, the bolts 62 of the clamp assembly are not
readily accessible. The inaccessible bolts 62 prevent the wires
from being easily removed from the foundation assembly 10 and the
conduits extending between adjacent foundation assemblies. The
dimensions of the central opening in the base 42 are also
sufficiently limited to prevent a tool from being inserted below
the clamp assembly 14 to cut the wires below the clamp assembly
thereby preventing the wires from being easily removed.
FIGS. 10-12 show a second embodiment of the clamp assembly of the
invention. The clamp assembly 80 of this embodiment is similar to
the clamp assembly of the previous embodiment. The foundation
member and lamp pole are substantially the same as in the previous
embodiment so that the same components are identified by the same
reference number with the addition of a prime.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, clamp assembly 80 includes a main body
82 with legs 84 extending outwardly from the main body. Movable
clamp plates 86 are attached to opposite sides of the main body 82
by bolts 88 and nuts 90. The movable clamp plates are staggered in
the axial direction to overlap each other along the height and
width of the main body 82 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The movable
clamp plates 86 include a flexible pad 92 for mating with a
flexible pad 94 coupled to the main body 82 as in the previous
embodiment for clamping the electrical wiring as shown in FIG.
10.
Another embodiment of the clamp assembly 100 is shown in FIGS.
13-16. The foundation member and the corresponding base and the
lamp pole are substantially the same as in the previous embodiment
so that the same components are identified by the same reference
number with the addition of a prime.
The clamp assembly 100 is similar to the clamp assembly of the
previous embodiment and include a main body 102 having a pair of
legs 104 extending outwardly for being received within the slot 70'
as in the previous embodiment. The main body 102 includes holes for
receiving the bolts 106 for coupling the movable clamp members 108
to the main body 102.
The movable clamp members 108 have a body 110 with holes 112
aligned with the holes in the main body 102 for receiving the bolts
106. The body 110 includes a resilient pad 114 which mates with a
resilient pad 116 on the main body 102.
The body 110 of the movable clamp 18 has a dimension to effectively
clamp the electrical wiring passing between the pads and passing
through the axial passage of the foundation member 12. In the
embodiment shown, the holes in the main body for receiving the
bolts are aligned side by side so that the movable clamps 108 can
be attached on opposite sides of the main body 102.
The movable clamp 108 has a top edge 118 and a shield 120 coupled
to the top edge 118 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In the embodiment
illustrated, the shield 120 has a substantially semi-circular shape
although the shape of the shield can be rectangular or square as
desired. The shield extends outwardly from the movable clamp a
distance to overlie the nuts 22 and bolts 106 to limit access to
the bolts from the top end of the foundation member. The shield
preferably has a length to extend substantially the length of the
main body 102 as shown in FIG. 15 to overlie the nuts and bolts for
each movable clamp member 108.
In use, the foundation member is positioned in the ground as in the
previous embodiment and the electrical wires are fed through the
axial passage and through the opening in the base. The wires are
fed through the clamp assembly 100 and clamped by the respective
movable clamps 108 by tightening the nuts 122 and bolts 106. The
lamp base 20 is then attached to the top end of the base 42 as
shown in FIG. 16 by the bolts 124. The access door 126 in the lamp
base 20 is positioned above the clamp assembly 100. The shields 120
of each movable clamp 108 limit access to the bolts through the
access door to prevent unauthorized tampering with the clamp
assembly and unauthorized removal of the electrical wires once the
lamp base 20 is mounted to the foundation member.
In the embodiments of the invention, the clamp assembly is
positioned on the base of the foundation member in a location such
that the clamping bolts are not readily accessible after the lamp
base or other electrical device is mounted to the foundation
member. The clamp assembly resists unauthorized removal of the
wiring by cutting and pulling on the wiring which otherwise can
result in hundreds of feet of electrical wiring being pulled from
the conduit. The clamp assembly preferably grips the wiring with
sufficient force so that pulling on the wires will result in the
wires breaking at the clamp assembly rather than being pulled
through the clamp assembly.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 13-16, the shield 120 is integrally
formed with the movable clamp 108 as a one-piece assembly by
cutting the movable clamp from a blank and bending a portion to
define the shield 120. Alternatively, the shield 120 can be a
separate component that is welded to the top edge of the movable
clamp 108. In the embodiment shown, the shield 120 has a tab
portion 128 with a length and width to overlie the bolts adjacent
the respective movable clamp 108 so that the bolts are not visible
or accessible from above.
While various embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the
features of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *
References